Edhat Staff
Adam Tucker and Jennifer Homendy of NTSB
By edhat staff
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced they would be leading the safety investigation of the Conception boat fire.
During a press conference outside the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday afternoon, NTSB Board Member Jennifer Homendy stated their mission is to determine how this happened, why it happened, and to implement safety improvements to prevent this from happening again.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” said Homendy.
The NTSB is a federal agency that investigates accidents in aviation, highway, marine, rail & pipeline and makes recommendations to improve transportation safety. Homendy stated NTSB will lead the investigation as this has major marine casualties, but the Coast Guard will conduct its own safety and enforcement investigation where both agencies can work together.
Homendy was joined by Adam Tucker who will lead the charge of the investigation with a team of 16 experts in various fields. She also stated this is not their first investigation of a fire on a small passenger vessel citing the NTSB report of a boat fire off Port Richey, FL on December 11, 2018.
NTSB arrived on scene at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday and immediately received a thorough briefing from the Coast Guard. An organizational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night to establish the specific investigative teams, but their investigation has already begun.
“100% our investigators will determine the cause of this fire, why it occurred, how it occurred, and what is needed to prevent it from happening again, absolutely,” said Homendy.
They plan to be on scene for 7 to 10 days where investigators can collect evidence. Homendy stressed they will not determine a cause of the fire while on scene, but it will come later. She also stated they will not speculate on circumstances but only provide facts.
It takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months for a final report to be released, however, a preliminary report will be released 10 days after the accident.
Although they have the identities of people they’d like to interview including the crew, companies involved, and first responders. They also plan as well as look at the vessel operations, environment, and training.
The NTSB is also asking for photos, videos, and anything else that will help their investigation. Those with information should email witness@NTSB.gov
Daily press briefings are scheduled for the news two days.
RELATED ARTICLES
September 2, 2019:
September 2, 2019:
September 3, 2019:
September 3, 2019: Coast Guard Suspends Search for Survivors of Conception Fire
Someone let Dianne Feinstein that the NTSB is going to do an investigation, so she can calm down.
This is exactly what I was expecting to happen, because this event is comparable to an airplane crash. I just hope there is still enough evidence left after the intense fire to figure out what happened. I was wondering if a device with a lithium battery exploded like for a vaping device. I went to the Truth Aquatics website which has lots of photos and recommended packing lists. I did not see a prohibited item section. Someone on the first thread mentioned that on previous trips there were a lot of laptops charging in the lower deck. I hope they get to the bottom of this for the sake of closure for the families and so that the scenario that led to this can be prevented in the future.
Really? Did you figure out the cause of this accident? A battery? I personally think you are out of line.
ALL SIDES no one is claiming they “figured it out”. It is natural to think of possibilities of what happened. Yes, there is a difference between having these thoughts and posting them online, but they are merely wondering. Who knows, the hive mind could have some ideas that investigators could overlook.
ALL SIDES- Shasta Guy was simply wondering about it. As stated this is how lots of people process tragedy. This should be a safe space for us all to do that without unnecessary nastiness. Peace out.
Thanks for the back up. I have no idea how that fire started, nor did I claim to that. The FAA has very specific restrictions on lithium ion batteries and air travel because they can explode or start fires if they rapidly discharge. When they do, it’s the energy equivalent of a short duration roadway flare. That’s all I was wondering out loud about.
Feinstein is hardly a “talking head.” As one of our Senators, she has served us well for decades. Please show some respect.
Here’s an article which interviews the captain of the sister ship tp the Conception, Ian Higgins of the Vision. It includes video and photos inside the Vision which is nearly identical to the Conception. https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/captain-of-conceptions-sister-ship-stands-up-for-colleagues
Read Flicka’s comment about the benefits of having a senior senator call for an investigation. If you are interested about actual information.
Feinstein’s calling for an investigation brought in the Feds
No, the NTSB is always the entity that investigates these types of incidents without or without our talking heads “calling for it”.
I don’t think that is accurate.
I second the lithium battery scenario, I heard this was a potential cause as well. Lots of photography equipment and charging at night down in the bunk area.
Directly from the captain of the sister ship Vision: . “There’s seat cushions, there’s curtains and especially nowadays we have so many different batteries, lithium ion batteries that could spark the fire and heat up and explode in case of a fire. And a lot of the passengers that come on board these vessels bring all this stuff just like you would for any other type of tour.”
I too agree with the lithium battery theory. It’s the only one that makes sense, the silly comments about O2 tanks show such a lack of knowledge about those tanks – they are solid steel. If any one has watched a lithium battery explode, it’s intense. Airlines already ban them in checked luggage for this reason, now we may have to rethink protocols for overnight boat trips in similar situations. I used to like SBObservers comments but the ones on these threads, seem to disclose his or her true political “bend” and I will no longer be supporting him or her or give any credence to that person’s comments.
ALL SIDES I agree with you 100%. It is pathetic here how people are spewing out their “theories” about what happened and then others “seconding” those unfounded theories. NONE OF YOU know what happened, so quit playing detective while many of your fellow residents are in mourning and dealing with a living nightmare right now. Get over yourselves, please.
And knowing that a senior senator from the world’s most powerful legislative body is keeping track will ensure that the investigation is done in a timely way and have all the resources that are needed. The pols get criticized for whatever they do, but I guess it goes with the job.
I’m not sure where you’re picking up any anger? The NTSB is an independent government agency and doesn’t need the go-ahead from a Senator to complete its mission, Flicka, you, and other posters are trying to say the the only reason the NTSB is investigating is because a senator “called for it”. I’m saying I don’t believe that is the case.
Your saying the NTSB would have half-a*sed this investigation if it weren’t for her? Come on…
NTSB is investigating because this is among the worst US maritime disasters in recent memory: SS Edmund Fitzgerald – 29 , SS Marine Electric – 34, SS El Faro -33, M/V Conception – 34.